Syracuse, Sicily, Italy

Plemmirio

The Plemmirio Marine Protected Area protects the Maddalena peninsula southeast of Syracuse, on Sicily's Ionian coast. The reserve combines limestone cliffs eroded into caves and overhangs, shallow Posidonia meadows and offshore reefs, with depths ranging from 5 to nearly 40 metres. Classic sites such as Grotta del Capo, Capo Murro di Porco and the Punta Tavola wall feature yellow Eunicella cavolini fans, red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata in the deeper drops, orange Astroides calycularis on shaded walls, and dense encrusting sponges. The Plemmirio reserve is also notable archaeologically: scattered Roman and Byzantine amphorae fragments survive on the seabed and are a protected feature of organised dives. Marine life includes resident dusky groupers, brown meagre, octopus, moray eels, scorpionfish, salema schools, sea breams and occasional amberjack and barracuda. Currents are usually weak inside the protected coves and moderate on offshore points. Visibility commonly reaches 20–25 metres in summer; most sites suit intermediate divers. Boat access only.